Shaft-like parts feeding apparatus

Abstract

A parts feeding apparatus feeds projection bolts into a receiving hole in an electrode and includes an excessively long parts detecting device which detects projection bolts having excessively long shanks. The excessively long parts detecting device has a pass control member fixed between a pair of plates of the delivery section for engaging an excessively long shank and a control plate which prevents the projection bolt having the excessively long shank from projecting upward so as to lock the projection bolt in cooperation with the pass control member. A feed rod advances to a predetermined position at which the shanks of the projection bolts are inserted into the receiving hole, and a spacing between the holding head and a receiving hole when the feed rod is in the predetermined position is set to prevent projection bolts having an excessively short shank from reaching the receiving hole.

1. A parts feeding apparatus for feeding projection bolts into a receiving hole in an electrode, each of the projection bolts having a shank and a flange integral with the shank, said parts feeding apparatus comprising:
 a parts feeder for delivering the projection bolts, said parts feeder including a bowl for holding the projection bolts; 
 a feed rod for performing a feed operation to insert the shanks of the projection bolts into the receiving hole of the electrode; 
 a holding head connected to said feed rod for holding the projection bolts; 
 a feed path extending from said parts feeder to a point short of said feed rod, said feed path including
 (i) a transfer step part formed in an inner periphery of said bowl, 
 (ii) a suspension transfer section, and 
 (iii) a delivery section having a pair of parallel plates connected to said suspension transfer section; 
 
 an excessively long parts detecting device which detects projection bolts having excessively long shanks, said excessively long parts detecting device including
 (i) a pass control member fixed between said pair of plates of said delivery section for engaging an excessively long shank, and 
 (ii) a control plate which prevents the projection bolt having the excessively long shank from projecting upward so as to lock the projection bolt in cooperation with said pass control member, 
 
 wherein said feed rod advances to a predetermined position at which the shanks of the projection bolts are inserted into the receiving hole, and a spacing between said holding head and the receiving hole when said feed rod is in the predetermined position is set to allow projection bolts having a shank which is normal length to enter the receiving hole and prevent projection bolts having an excessively short shank from reaching the receiving hole. 
 
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said holding head has a recess for holding one of the projection bolts, the bottom of said recess being formed with a support surface on which the projection bolt sits, said support surface having an air opening for spouting air for delivery of the projection bolt, the spouting of air from said air opening being set such that it ends during a return operation of said feed rod so as to prevent said feed rod from returning with the projection bolt retained in said holding head. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the spouting of air from said air opening is started after the shank of one of the projection bolts held by said holding head has advanced into said receiving hole. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said feed rod is configured such that said holding head is positioned at an intersection of the axes of the projection bolt and the receiving hole when said feed rod is in the predetermined position, and
 wherein said holding head travels in an axial direction of the receiving hole. 
 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said feed rod is configured such that said holding head is positioned at an intersection of the axes of the projection bolt and the receiving hole when said feed rod is in the predetermined position. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the shank of each of the projection bolts is threaded, and a welding projection is formed on the flange of each of the projection bolts. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said suspension transfer section has two rails which hold the flange of each projection bolt such that the shank is suspended. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said suspension transfer section has two rails which hold the flange of each projection bolt such that the shank is suspended, and
 wherein said pass control member is disposed at a predetermined height below said two rails such that each projection bolt with a normal length shank can pass to said delivery section and each projection bolt with an excessively long shank abuts said pass control member and cannot pass to said delivery section.